Pietersen walks as Strauss steps up

June 2008 Stands in for the absent Paul Collingwood for Lord's ODI against New Zealand

August 4, 2008 Has long discussion with Moores before being named as Michael Vaughan's successor following England's series defeat to South Africa. Recalls Steve Harmison and stamps his mark on the side

August 6, 2008 Moores denies rift with Pietersen. "He'll be his own man and that's going to be really important," Moores said.

August 7-11, 2008 Cracks a stroke-laden 100 on Test captaincy debut, leading England to a six-wicket win at The Oval. Begins to talk up England's Ashes chances.

November, 2008 England lose to Stanford Superstars in the Stanford 20/20 for 20. Admits that England were distracted by off-the-field "nonsense"

December, 2008 Leads the full England squad back to India following the Mumbai terrorist attacks that cast a doubt over the tour. India win the series 1-0 but Pietersen's leadership is highly praised, even though doubts persist about his tactics after India's record run-chase at Chennai

December 29, 2008 Michael Vaughan is not picked for England's tour of West Indies in February, a key factor in the dispute which leads to Pietersen's eventual resignation

January 1, 2009 Calls for emergency talks with the ECB over the role of Moores

January 4, 2009 "Obviously this situation is not healthy," Pietersen writes in his newspaper column. "We have to make sure it is settled as soon as possible and certainly before we fly off to the West Indies."

January 7, 2009 Pietersen resigns, just over five months into his tenure, but insists he is committed to playing for England in the future. At a press conference Hugh Morris, managing director of England Cricket, announces that Moores has been sacked

Kevin Pietersen has stepped down as England captain with immediate effect and Peter Moores has been sacked as coach after a tumultuous day for English cricket. Andrew Strauss has been named captain for the tour of West Indies later this month and the ECB will begin an immediate search for a new coach.

However, Pietersen denied the reports which claimed he had resigned early on Wednesday morning and it was only after discussions with the ECB during the day that he felt his hand had been forced. "I wish to make it very clear that I did not resign as captain of the England cricket team this morning," he said in a statement. "However, in light of recent communications with the ECB, and the unfortunate media stories and speculation that have subsequently appeared, I now consider that it would be extremely difficult for me to continue in my current position with the England cricket team."

Hugh Morris, the managing director of England Cricket, read a statement at a hastily arranged press conference at The Oval. "It's been a complicated and difficult day. The ECB late this afternoon have accepted with regret the resignation of Kevin Pietersen as England captain.

"Kevin recognised that in the present situation it was impossible to restore the dressing room unity, which is vital, if England are to win the forthcoming tour to the Caribbean, the ICC global events or regain the Ashes in the Ashes Test series.

"Kevin Pietersen is highly valued as a senior and experienced player and we are delighted that he has indicated he wishes to continue to represent England in all their forthcoming international fixtures, starting in the Caribbean later this month."

The ECB were left in complete turmoil on a day of rumours, denials and high drama, following the emergency board meeting that took place on Tuesday evening to discuss the rift in the leadership of the team.

In a brief statement on Wednesday afternoon, the ECB had insisted they had "no knowledge" of the departure of either Pietersen or Moores, although they admitted that Pietersen had not been prepared to tour West Indies under the current management structure.

Pietersen, perhaps misjudging the mood of his employers, did not depart from his holiday in South Africa until Wednesday afternoon, by which time the 12-man board had already met, by teleconference, on Tuesday night. At that meeting, it was decided that the captain would have to pay the price for his attitude. It was felt that to accede to his demands would set a dangerous precedent for future disputes, one in which the whims of individuals would take precedence over structures.

In response, it initially appeared that Pietersen had taken his future into his own hands, and handed back the role he took on from Michael Vaughan barely five months ago. At 9am GMT, Sky News reported his resignation, giving as his reasoning the fact that the ECB did not act quickly enough in responding to his demands over Moores' future. Speaking briefly on the phone, Pietersen told the programme: "I am not in a fit state to talk."

Strauss, who captained England in 2006 when Vaughan was out of the team with injury, was the hot favourite to lead them on the tour of West Indies, which begins in exactly a fortnight's time. His reappointment, two-and-a-half years after he was overlooked for the Ashes tour in favour of Andrew Flintoff, represents a remarkable turnaround for a player who, this time last year, was dropped from the Test side following a prolonged run of poor form.

"Andrew Strauss has agreed to lead the team to the Caribbean," Morris said. "He led the England team with distinction in 2006 when Michael Vaughan was injured."

Meanwhile, Moores' departure comes as less of a surprise. His position became untenable following the revelations of the rift, and there had been little evidence of progress under his tenure and his credibility had been damaged beyond repair.

"With regard to Peter Moores, the board determined that he should relinquish his role as England team director," Morris added. "I have the greatest respect for the dignity which Peter Moores has shown in recent days when he has found himself under extreme pressure. The ECB wish him well in his future roles."

Cricinfo understands that Andy Flower, Moores' assistant coach, was offered the interim role for the West Indies tour, although Morris said an announcement on the coaching set-up would be made in the coming days.

Speaking to the News of the World earlier in the week, Pietersen said: "This situation is not healthy, we have to make sure it is settled as soon as possible and certainly before we fly off to the West Indies. Everybody has to have the same aims and pull in the same direction for the good of the England team."

Research conducted by Morris, however, suggested that Pietersen did not have the steadfast support of his team-mates or the back-room staff. The majority of the England support staff are understood to be supportive of Moores while most of the players are underwhelmed by Pietersen's dramatic intervention, as Steve Harmison demonstrated with his ambivalent comments on Tuesday.

There was also some sympathy towards Moores who, it is understood, was given the authority to select the England captain when Paul Collingwood and Vaughan resigned, and there are those within the set-up who feel that Pietersen had betrayed the coach's trust.

Attitudes towards Pietersen appeared to have hardened at board level. While few are completely convinced by Moores, they did not like the manner in which the captain has attempted to dictate events. As one board member told Cricinfo: "People who want to keep their jobs don't issue ultimatums."

The news brings to an end a tumultuous five-month reign. When Pietersen took on the role in August 2008 following Vaughan's resignation, he immediately declared that he intended to do the job "his way". With a maiden Test triumph over South Africa, followed by a 4-0 victory in the ODIs, his way was the high way during a heady honeymoon period.

But then came England's disastrous showing in Allen Stanford's 20/20 for 20 showdown in Antigua, in which England lost the chance to win US$1 million per man for a single evening's work when they were bowled out by the Stanford Superstars for 99. Pietersen blamed the team's performance on off-field "nonsense", including floodlight issues and a high-profile faux pas involving the player's wives, but there were no such ex cuses when England were subsequently thrashed 5-0 in their one-day series against India.

That tour was foreshortened after the Mumbai terrorist attacks in November, and though Pietersen earned huge credit for his role in persuading the team to rejoin the tour for the two-match Test series, and for his remarkable century at Mohali, his tactical nous came under scrutiny during their 1-0 defeat, especially after the team failed to defend 387 in the first match at Chennai.

But all throughout his tenure, rumours of his dissatisfaction with Moores' methods were never far from the surface. Pietersen did not accept the job until he had had "clear the air" talks with Moores in the aftermath of Vaughan's resignation, and he later voiced his disapproval of Moores' dogmatic training methods that sapped the team's energy on their tour of New Zealand in March. Matters are believed to have come to a head in the lead-up to the Mohali Test, where the relationship between Pietersen and Moores reached the point of no return.

Although Kent's coach, Graham Ford, had been touted as Moores' probable successor, his candidature had been raised with a view to finding a man who could work alongside Pietersen. Ashley Giles is another option, although Warwickshire have warned they may not necessarily keep his job as the county's director of cricket open, should he be asked to fulfil a role as "stop-gap" coach in the Caribbean.

I wonder if there is any truth in the rumour doing the rounds in Australia that this problem is not just cricket related? Allegedly Mrs Moores & Mrs Pietersen fell out big time on the Stanford trip to WI as to who should organise the WAGS which eventually led to the impasse between Captain & Coach.Time will no doubt reveal all, remember you heard it here first!!!! Sounds so implauseable to be correct!!!

2.14istherunrate
on January 8, 2009, 18:16 GMT

What a farce! Once again Lords shows it cannot handle charisma and flair.
Moores should have left at the end of the summer,as he was obviously no Fletcher. Having crowned KP ,the ECB should have have stuck by him and edited one or two of KP's more expansive remarks or at least helped him to know in advance how much he could say. As for England giving him the chop and people reading too much into him leaving SA,perhaps we should look at the !5 centuries in 43 Tests and the way they have been made.KP rocks! It's just a pity no-one backed him on selecting Vaughan for WI.

Arthur
on January 8, 2009, 16:43 GMT

Kevin Pietersen should concentrate on his game, and realise he is not bigger than cricket. The issue is not whether Moores is a 'clipboard coach' as much as how anyone - given Pietersen's abrasiveness - is able to get on with him. Apparently, in one article I have read, there are very few players in the squad who were happy with the ex-South African's appointment. Captaincy is obviously a big thing in the cricketing world. Now we are not sure if Kevin who'd have made a success of it - given the events now. I am almost prompted to say that Kevin should be left out of the tour to the West Indies - it seems he has initiated this sorry mess. But... cricket in all its forms needs guys like Kevin - his unpredictable nature in terms of his batting brings people into the grounds. And KP should remember that as captain you can only be successful as those under you allow you to be. So maybe it means that it could be a blessing in disguise. C'mon KP leave the captaincy for another day!

gudolerhum
on January 8, 2009, 13:46 GMT

The WI and OZ must be rolling with laughter. Just what the down & out WI need, a chance to beat a team higher up the ladder when that team is selfdestructing. Unfortunately the ECB seems as inept as the WICB which is saying a lot! How KP will fit in with the team to the WI is beyond imagination. Dressing room unity will be nonexistent. He should drop out of the tour voluntarily or the ECB should leave him out.
Why worry about KP? He does not give a hoot about the team or he would not have taken this attitude about Moores from the beginning. Vaughan has not proved he is ready for the tour of the WI but he is a KP buddy. Try to see KP for what he is, do not allow the incompetence of the ECB to cloud what KP is doing. He is a talented player and believes that whatever he wants is best for the team, he is evidently not willing to accept alternative views. That is not the quality of a leader, it is a selfish person.
Ashes hopes goodbye!

LuckyLuckyJJ
on January 8, 2009, 13:11 GMT

I'm glad this has happenned and in good time before the Ashes. Strauss is a superb captain. His batting average improved when he stood in for Vaughan against Pakistan and he is a calm strategic thinker. Ideally positioned in the slips, he doesn't have to worry about bowling himself or his ego. Let Pieterson focus on his destructive batting and Strauss will knit together the dispirate factions in the dressing room, so we can beat the Aussie plums.

Lover112
on January 8, 2009, 12:06 GMT

Its very sad to hear KP was a great captain he always led the team from front. Anywayz whatever happend is not good for England.Well i m looking forward to see the WI under a new captain. So best of luck STRAUS.!!

InsatiaBull
on January 8, 2009, 11:45 GMT

"Hold on a bit. We just beat RSA despite losing our two best bowlers and our best all-rounder, and we had big chances in the two tests" -well hopefully you would have -SA had to bat last in every test in a home series with a crippled skipper and still beat you. Seems you never beat Australia -just win more matches.

gavbergin
on January 8, 2009, 11:32 GMT

Well, better late than never. Andrew Strauss is clearly the perfect man to receive the honour of the position as captain of England. It should not be forgotten that the job IS an honour above all. These are not the words of an Englishman-anyone who knows the history of cricket realises the great prestige that comes with the position, along with the challenge. It is a great shame that these points were not kept in mind by the protaganists of this latest story.

The ECB erred greatly in failing to appoint Strauss previously, in 2006 and last summer, when Michael Vaughan resigned the job. It seemed as if Strauss was too obviously the right man for the job-that they couldn't see the answer staring them in the face.

Let's hope that the right road is finally being taken. Certainly Andrew Strauss will show more poise than Kevin Pietersen ever could.

ThirteenthMan
on January 8, 2009, 11:30 GMT

This sums it up well:

"unjustifiable..to sack Peter Moores, the England Coach while allowing the Captain to resign.... Kevin should be omitted from the squad to the West Indies."

Posted by rohanbala on January 08 2009, 03:55 AM GMT

If Moores was in any way unsuitable that should have been dealt with by the ECB in a proper manner. It is not dishonourable to fail to match up to the requirements of the job. If he was unsuitable the blame lies with those who appointed him. Who knows whether Moores' apparent failure was in part due to Pieterson's attitude over a period of time? It seems his biggest mistake was to choose Pieterson as captain; for that he is culpable.

Pietersons behaviour was unacceptable. Allowing him to remain in the squad was deplorable; the ECB seem to have placed winning above sporting integrity. Let us hope it backfires and there is a big sort out.

tatendataona
on January 8, 2009, 11:07 GMT

What is the big whooraah about KP? He is the same guy who said a lot of unflattering comments when he left SA for England and it seems his reputation for bringing the game into disrepute has followed him. First, it was William Gallas and now him. The celebrity captain bug has certainly bit again. And whats the fascination about Zimbabwean coaches in the England set up? Fletcher and possibly Flower getting the nod after a possibly good tour of the windies. Wierd that the poms don't wanna play in zim for political reasons but certainly dont mind a Zimbo coach. Whats the difference between playing against Taibu and Pricey and getting coached by Flowzy? Yep, another tasteless episode in the uninspired soap opera called English cricket. Yawn!

perthwacoffeman
on January 12, 2009, 7:28 GMT

I wonder if there is any truth in the rumour doing the rounds in Australia that this problem is not just cricket related? Allegedly Mrs Moores & Mrs Pietersen fell out big time on the Stanford trip to WI as to who should organise the WAGS which eventually led to the impasse between Captain & Coach.Time will no doubt reveal all, remember you heard it here first!!!! Sounds so implauseable to be correct!!!

2.14istherunrate
on January 8, 2009, 18:16 GMT

What a farce! Once again Lords shows it cannot handle charisma and flair.
Moores should have left at the end of the summer,as he was obviously no Fletcher. Having crowned KP ,the ECB should have have stuck by him and edited one or two of KP's more expansive remarks or at least helped him to know in advance how much he could say. As for England giving him the chop and people reading too much into him leaving SA,perhaps we should look at the !5 centuries in 43 Tests and the way they have been made.KP rocks! It's just a pity no-one backed him on selecting Vaughan for WI.

Arthur
on January 8, 2009, 16:43 GMT

Kevin Pietersen should concentrate on his game, and realise he is not bigger than cricket. The issue is not whether Moores is a 'clipboard coach' as much as how anyone - given Pietersen's abrasiveness - is able to get on with him. Apparently, in one article I have read, there are very few players in the squad who were happy with the ex-South African's appointment. Captaincy is obviously a big thing in the cricketing world. Now we are not sure if Kevin who'd have made a success of it - given the events now. I am almost prompted to say that Kevin should be left out of the tour to the West Indies - it seems he has initiated this sorry mess. But... cricket in all its forms needs guys like Kevin - his unpredictable nature in terms of his batting brings people into the grounds. And KP should remember that as captain you can only be successful as those under you allow you to be. So maybe it means that it could be a blessing in disguise. C'mon KP leave the captaincy for another day!

gudolerhum
on January 8, 2009, 13:46 GMT

The WI and OZ must be rolling with laughter. Just what the down & out WI need, a chance to beat a team higher up the ladder when that team is selfdestructing. Unfortunately the ECB seems as inept as the WICB which is saying a lot! How KP will fit in with the team to the WI is beyond imagination. Dressing room unity will be nonexistent. He should drop out of the tour voluntarily or the ECB should leave him out.
Why worry about KP? He does not give a hoot about the team or he would not have taken this attitude about Moores from the beginning. Vaughan has not proved he is ready for the tour of the WI but he is a KP buddy. Try to see KP for what he is, do not allow the incompetence of the ECB to cloud what KP is doing. He is a talented player and believes that whatever he wants is best for the team, he is evidently not willing to accept alternative views. That is not the quality of a leader, it is a selfish person.
Ashes hopes goodbye!

LuckyLuckyJJ
on January 8, 2009, 13:11 GMT

I'm glad this has happenned and in good time before the Ashes. Strauss is a superb captain. His batting average improved when he stood in for Vaughan against Pakistan and he is a calm strategic thinker. Ideally positioned in the slips, he doesn't have to worry about bowling himself or his ego. Let Pieterson focus on his destructive batting and Strauss will knit together the dispirate factions in the dressing room, so we can beat the Aussie plums.

Lover112
on January 8, 2009, 12:06 GMT

Its very sad to hear KP was a great captain he always led the team from front. Anywayz whatever happend is not good for England.Well i m looking forward to see the WI under a new captain. So best of luck STRAUS.!!

InsatiaBull
on January 8, 2009, 11:45 GMT

"Hold on a bit. We just beat RSA despite losing our two best bowlers and our best all-rounder, and we had big chances in the two tests" -well hopefully you would have -SA had to bat last in every test in a home series with a crippled skipper and still beat you. Seems you never beat Australia -just win more matches.

gavbergin
on January 8, 2009, 11:32 GMT

Well, better late than never. Andrew Strauss is clearly the perfect man to receive the honour of the position as captain of England. It should not be forgotten that the job IS an honour above all. These are not the words of an Englishman-anyone who knows the history of cricket realises the great prestige that comes with the position, along with the challenge. It is a great shame that these points were not kept in mind by the protaganists of this latest story.

The ECB erred greatly in failing to appoint Strauss previously, in 2006 and last summer, when Michael Vaughan resigned the job. It seemed as if Strauss was too obviously the right man for the job-that they couldn't see the answer staring them in the face.

Let's hope that the right road is finally being taken. Certainly Andrew Strauss will show more poise than Kevin Pietersen ever could.

ThirteenthMan
on January 8, 2009, 11:30 GMT

This sums it up well:

"unjustifiable..to sack Peter Moores, the England Coach while allowing the Captain to resign.... Kevin should be omitted from the squad to the West Indies."

Posted by rohanbala on January 08 2009, 03:55 AM GMT

If Moores was in any way unsuitable that should have been dealt with by the ECB in a proper manner. It is not dishonourable to fail to match up to the requirements of the job. If he was unsuitable the blame lies with those who appointed him. Who knows whether Moores' apparent failure was in part due to Pieterson's attitude over a period of time? It seems his biggest mistake was to choose Pieterson as captain; for that he is culpable.

Pietersons behaviour was unacceptable. Allowing him to remain in the squad was deplorable; the ECB seem to have placed winning above sporting integrity. Let us hope it backfires and there is a big sort out.

tatendataona
on January 8, 2009, 11:07 GMT

What is the big whooraah about KP? He is the same guy who said a lot of unflattering comments when he left SA for England and it seems his reputation for bringing the game into disrepute has followed him. First, it was William Gallas and now him. The celebrity captain bug has certainly bit again. And whats the fascination about Zimbabwean coaches in the England set up? Fletcher and possibly Flower getting the nod after a possibly good tour of the windies. Wierd that the poms don't wanna play in zim for political reasons but certainly dont mind a Zimbo coach. Whats the difference between playing against Taibu and Pricey and getting coached by Flowzy? Yep, another tasteless episode in the uninspired soap opera called English cricket. Yawn!

ssm2407
on January 8, 2009, 10:34 GMT

The ECB & english cricket have done the impossible. They make the Pakistan Cricket Board look sane !

binkaf
on January 8, 2009, 10:27 GMT

What a mishap! It's a sad scenario: the player like KP exiting with shoulders down. It's noway going to help the causes for England, who are already having a miserable time. How can one shut the eyes at KP's performance, leave behind the team's results, for he is a mere human and not a complete 'One-Man-Army'. Then how can he be outcast this easily from the rank, and that too this early. To me it's more than mere unfair to KP and think England is going to pay the price for it, iff this step has dented KP's confidence; at a same time I hope and wish KP will overcome this shocking situation as soon as possible and be right where he has been, ever since he made his debut to internationl cricket coz in the politics of ECB or whoever we cricket fans can't afford to miss KP's dazzling display of fantastic strokes.

jaross
on January 8, 2009, 9:59 GMT

This is a very sad day for our great game. Who leaked this sorry saga, which should have been resolved behind closed doors? Why did KP not return from S.A. to help resolve issues, as the story grew by the minute? One positive is that this has come to a head sooner rather than later, and Andrew Strauss is now Captain. Sadly, English Cricket has lost an outstanding bloke in Peter Moores, who had masses to offer. What future now for KP? This is a TEAM game!

Prenty
on January 8, 2009, 9:52 GMT

KP resigned because he knew that if he didn't, he would be fired! His spoilt brat behaviour now is just the same as when he threw his toys out of the cot when he left SA. I say good riddance for SA and hopefully England see the light and kick hom out of their side too! The team is greater then the player, no matter how good he is. Andrew Strausss (another South African) is a far better diplomat and a better representative for cricket and England.

ashok16
on January 8, 2009, 6:55 GMT

It is clear Pietersen values his England team spot more than the captaincy. Only every now and then do we come across natural leaders (Richards, Imran, Border,Waugh and now Dhoni). Many other greats have had captaincy thrust on them and made a mess off it like Sachin, Gavaskar, Richie Richardson and now Pietersen. I think it is time a team tries to play without a captain. It doesnt take a lot of brains to set fields and ring in bowling changes. Players could just as easily rotate the role between themselves with the coach setting up the overall strategy. And everything else can be figured out by the coach and his computer.

GhostRunner
on January 8, 2009, 6:26 GMT

After a long time, i thought England got a good captain. It has been a common problem between coach and captain once happened in india, and now in england. The cricket is no more a sport it is full of politics and bookies and gossips. The recent behaviour of players is not in favour of the sport. We need more matured players who can go with the rules. More than coach the cricket needs a pshchologist because the real game is of the minds!

ChuckingBajanMakemePurge
on January 8, 2009, 5:30 GMT

KP is outstanding but he should not try to rule his higher authorities. Anyway I am looking forward to see him in the WI sereis. No body likes to loose such a marvourles cricketer.

Da_Punjabi
on January 8, 2009, 4:22 GMT

As an Indian, I am amazed by the obsession of English People of Ashes that they completely ignore the coming cricket events on the calender in between. You should talk about ashes if you do not have tour to India in between. you should talk of ashes if you do not have a Carribean tour in between. hell, if there was no IPL, SLC' M&M attack probably be too much for English players to handle. They are still talking about Ashes when the only person who could take any responsibility of winning the Ashes is sacked as a captain.

Ilin
on January 8, 2009, 3:55 GMT

why most of the fans are against kevin????just coz he is a south african captain?pietersen is doing right,and going perfectly positively.ECB appointed him as captain,so board should let him get his selection of players.who is moores?he is just a seasonal coach who trains the players,and could not lasts more than mere 2-3years.but its captain who leads the team,and takes all the responsibility of wins as well as losses.if KP is not the captain,then too he will remain in the team,as england's best player.its time to stand with kevin,and get the best players,and win some matches with them,before ashes.

rohanbala
on January 8, 2009, 3:55 GMT

I feel its an unjustifiable action on the part of ECB to sack Peter Moores, the England Coach while allowing the Captain to resign. When two parties are engaged in a battle on one subject, the ECB in its role as the arbitrator should have treated both the Coach and the Captain alike. Kevin should be omitted from the squad to the West Indies.

rishu
on January 8, 2009, 3:36 GMT

I feel its time for Pietersen to go back to his country " SOUTH AFRICA " from where he migrated just to get the taste of International Cricket, for now Proteas have realised that they had ignored a Hidden Gem in their house when they did not call him to repesent for Cricket South Afria. Pietersen we are waiting for you...........Rishu ( from Cape Town )

sammykent
on January 8, 2009, 1:17 GMT

KP was just the tonic England needed. He is competitive, talented and leads from the front. Moores was clearly not up to the job and the ECB have only demoted KP after their position of authority was challenged. England looked like they were going to have the driven, motivated team necessary to reclaim the Ashes. Now they have Strauss......the guy is talented but not a leaders left toe. If England want to be one of the best teams in the world they need a captain that is enthusiastic, passionate and not afraid. Who else in their team but KP has these qualities? What a political tragedy. Hopefully the ECB have the brains to reinstate him quickly.

ChuckingMuraliMakesMeSick
on January 8, 2009, 0:01 GMT

The whole sorry saga illustrates the need for the selection process to be absolutely transparent to the public - IN ALL COUNTRIES. Is the captain a part of this process? His role needs to be made clear to all parties. Will administrators/selectors/coaching staff take responsibility for their decisions? (Own up when they stuff up.) When a team underperforms, people have to be held accountable and changes in playing personnel, off-field staff and administrators have to be considered. Sack selectors that pick losing teams! Replace administrators that undermine players! With regard to the captaincy, the prime prerequisite of a skipper is that he is an automatic selection in the team for his playing ability/form. Is Strauss that man? Not really. Is Pietersen? Yes. Is he a great captain? Early days, but he seems to be a leader by example rather than a thinker, a bit like Ponting really.

johngold
on January 7, 2009, 23:06 GMT

PART 2

With that in mind dismiss Hugh Morris and bring in Brearley as overall supremo, Rodney Hogg famously said he had a degree in people, keep the likes of Andy Flower, Otis Gibson and the incoming Mushtaq Ahmed as coaches but answerable to Brearley, he would then be confidante and teacher to KP, this may be a little controversial but in a matter of 6 months we face the Aussies for the little urn, lets go in with a fighting chance.If players not good enough or not contributing KP is ruthless enough to say, your not what we need, and Mike B would be the velvet glove to his Iron Fist.

johngold
on January 7, 2009, 22:58 GMT

Well I took a week off work to sort out house update etc, but this today on skysports was fascinating, potential captains :-
1.Vaughan is yesterdays man cant get his place in team on batting so forget it, Mike Brearley was carried as clearly not test batsman but supeb skipper but wouldnt have happened now.
2. Bob Key is unlucky, for me he should be batting 3 instead of Bell he does have potential but cant make team or squad at moment so unfortunately ruled out
3.Andrew Strauss very safe option, but does not inspire confidence or dynamic personality.
4.Andrew Flintoff one word - Pedalo.
5.Paul Collingwood as a Durham man I would love to say yes but he dont even captain our county side and decisions especially run out against New Zealand sadly lacking.
6.KP simply the best choice, he wants to win the ashes back but with current management system and ECB even against an arguably on decline Aussie team he sees we still would be struggling.

GHemrajani
on January 7, 2009, 22:49 GMT

ECB needs to give KP what he wants. If he has the responsibility of being the captain, he needs to be given the authority to make decisions. Judge him by results and not by his personality or nationality. Its simple management - the Board of Directors give the CEO what s/he needs in order to make the company successful.

OldAussie
on January 7, 2009, 22:25 GMT

'Just when the Aussies were there for the taking'.. Hold on a bit. We just beat RSA despite losing our two best bowlers and our best all-rounder, and we had big chances in the two tests we lost.
As for captains, Ponting is only average, but the talk is that he gets the last say on who he plays each game, nobody else.
So we won with a brand new set of bowlers, with Clark to come back and a bunch of great young talent in the wings for the next two tours. Warnie's mate Petersen might have been just what England needed to shake you up. Strauss?? Look out, Poms!

slugger1969
on January 7, 2009, 22:22 GMT

Scratch each others eyes out boys. Do as much damage internally as possible. As an aussie, I am loving it. Not too far to the Ashes, so tear yourselves up.

vatsanvasu
on January 7, 2009, 21:18 GMT

Its not fair to scrutinize KP here because we don't know the whole story.He would definitely have his reasons.People can only comment on what has happened and even they can't be blamed for their reactions.The only thing i would like to say is it's a bit disappointing to see KP resign as i firmly believed he had at in him to take England to the next level.

TheDoctor394
on January 7, 2009, 21:16 GMT

What a mess. Australia is more beatable than they've been in ages, and now this happens.
I had my doubts about Peterson being made captain at first, but started to be impressed with the way he seemed to be running things, including what looked like the ability to instill his style of confidence into the other players. On the other hand, I haven't been that impressed with Moores, and was finding it hard to believe that England could win the Ashes with him coaching.
I suppose one good thing is at least the decisions are being made quickly, rather than dragging on for months and months.

peppapig
on January 7, 2009, 21:16 GMT

It's impossible to formulate an objective view on this issue, partly owing to its emotive appeal to all cricket fans (not just England fans)but more importantly, it's so damn difficult to know whose version of events to believe. KP is upset with the media (and/or the ECB), sections of the media are outraged by KP and the ECB, the ECB are indignant about KP...and so it goes. Only one person emerges with any dignity and that is Moores. It would be fascinating to hear his version although he has done well to keep his counsel. KP will win English doubters back when he wins them the Ashes...if not, who knows!

AnthoniJi
on January 7, 2009, 20:58 GMT

I think KP kow what he wants to do with the team but is not supoprted by the coach or the board hence he called it a quits. I would do that too. If my hands are tied then why be a rubber stamp captain?

mmoosa
on January 7, 2009, 19:53 GMT

KP leads from the front and was correct to insist on players he wanted.
Yes he might be portrayed as arrogant,but he has the "x" factor to take England to the top of world cricket as captain-somewhat like Tong Greig or Clive Rice
Part of his persona involves being unconventional whether in his batting,bowling changes,statements to the media,etc.
Losing to India in India is no disgrace and Australia/S.A have also lost there this year.
English cricket have made a mistake.

Nampally
on January 7, 2009, 19:48 GMT

A captain should command the respect of his team, coaches and ECB in addition to being an excellent PR guy. He should be working hard to unite the team on and off the field. KP does not have these qualities and was the wrong choice from Day 1. KP is an excellent world class batsmen. He was selected by Moores but KP repays him with an open revolt. If he wanted Vaughan in the team he should have lobied for it by building the consensus amongst the selectors and the coach.This requires finesse and polished attitude NOT dictating from S.Africa. In such cases the 2 involved in disagreement lose their jobs. KP's statement to press has also caused division amongst the England team, 2 weeks prior to their departure for WI. The Head Coach job is redundant in presence of other individual coaches. A respected retired cricketer should be chosen as the Team Manager to control the player discipline, admin & PR roles. Strauss & England have an unenviable task ahead in uniting the team first.Good Luck

kingofspain
on January 7, 2009, 19:47 GMT

The last thing England need is for their one world-class player to feel alienated. He was the captain, if he wanted Vaughan, he should have had him in the squad for the Windies. I don't think Vaughan should've been selected but the captain has to have a big role in selection, at the end of the day the team's performance is his responsibility.

sammystafford
on January 7, 2009, 19:21 GMT

one thing that is bugging me about this whole palava is the speculation that certain players in the camp feel pietersen has betrayed peter moore's trust in selecting him as captain. the media would suggest that the 2 players with this opinion are andrew flintoff and steve harmison. i'm sorry but how are these 2 individuals in any position to think this, if indeed it is them.

andrew flintoff was given responsibility of the captaincy at the world cup and surely betrayed duncan fletcher's trust by having a drunken incident with a pedalo, surely flintoff is being hypocritical in what he believes is wrong with pietersen.

then we get to steve harmison. most supporters of england can agree that harmison deserved to be dropped from the international frame. so when KP persuaded him back from ODI retirement and trusted him in the test side when not many would have. surely harmsion is betraying the trust of the man who he has to thank for still having an international career. hypocrite?

Alexk400
on January 7, 2009, 19:13 GMT

pieterson wants everyone in the team like him. It is not possible. Pieterson took easy way out. Captaining the team with full of club level players is not a good feeling. Also i think pieterson way of zig/zagging players won't work. It is just that england do not have talent to challeng SA or INDIA or AUS. Only 2 world class players in england team. Rest all junk!. No fighting qualities!. i would have given pieterson full power but something tells me pieterson really do not like captaincy with lack lustre talent. What england need is young players. Not oldies. Young players atleast fight back.

seba87
on January 7, 2009, 19:12 GMT

Very sad to see KP go.
Vaughn should have been in the squad anyway. Even if he werent to play he would be great to have around...and who knows without the burdancy of captain he could return to his magical best again!
Also now that Moored has gone lets hope Shah gets a extended run in the team.Moores seemed very comfortable in changing the bowling attack when one bowler was out of form but never the batsmen. Ian Bell hasnt scored an important innings for a while now.Owais deserves his chance.

fyrestorm
on January 7, 2009, 18:55 GMT

I think this is a big blow for England. Pietersen has a lot of potential. England may have been thrashed in India, but that was more due to a highly talented rampant India, rather than Pietersen's captaincy. Strauss is a nice chap, but I'm not sure if he has what it takes to be a good captain. Bring back Michael Vaughan?

say2sumeet
on January 7, 2009, 18:50 GMT

Its a shame that KP has to go (as a captain). He was the right guy to lead England. For those who question that KP is a south African and so a wrong man to lead England, just think of Naseer Hussain who was also born in India and still led England not so long ago with so much success. KP had that passion and burning desire in him to succeed. Under the circumstances he was right to make a stand, in my opinion. What else can a captain do if he has ot been given the team he wants. He is a talented and potentially good leader, but all he needed was backing of the administration.

Biggy3134
on January 7, 2009, 18:38 GMT

I think some of the comments towards KP on here have been abit unfair, as were the comments when he got appointed as England Captain. KP proved his leadership abilities on several occasions with the Victory in South Africa and even the loss in India taking the decision to go back to india was a big move and KP got some good positive media comments because of this. He has a big ego , yes this is true but you show me a top sportsman who hasnt, Ponting has one, Micheal Vaughan had one hell look outside the sport you'll find to be successful you have to have a bucket load of confidence and belief which is found in ego's, look at Lewis Hamilton for instance! I think this is a step in the wrong direction for English Cricket just as were were building a side for the Ashes we have thrown it all away in one day which could have so easily have been avoided but the English media made to much of it, today is the day England lost the Ashes series of 2009!!!

Dan-argent
on January 7, 2009, 18:29 GMT

This whole saga has shown what a mistake it was to appoint Kevin Pietersen England captain in the first place. He is too egomaniacal and self-centred and is not a team player or natural leader, which is want you want in a captain. Players have to respect their skipper as a person as well as a cricketer, and this whole saga of Pietersen practically forcing Peter Moores out of a job so he could run the show does not help. Andrew Strauss will be a much better leader. He is an intelligent, sensible man whom the players will respect and his twin centuries in India have dismissed any doubts about his batting abilities. If the series against Pakistan in 2006 is anything to go by, captaincy will only improve his batting. I believe England have a better chance of winning the Ashes under him than they would have done under KP.

roflrofl60
on January 7, 2009, 18:03 GMT

KP is my favourite player, i have watched him play, he is one on my cricket role models, but right now he is being too selfish. A player doesnt make a team, its one thing to speak out as a captain of a team, its another to run down the coach for selection issues. If England players are not doing well, how is that Moores fault, its not the coach whose playing the game, its the players and the team.

InsatiaBull
on January 7, 2009, 17:19 GMT

Look what happened in a similar situation in South Africa. Graham Smith was at loggerheads with Ray Jennings, they gave him a coach he worked well with in Micky Arthur and now look -a series win in Aus.

England's top brass are locked in a time warp and treat international cricket like the school sports with all of their ridiculous pomp, bluster and old school tie. They'll never get it right. It's more important to them to play their games and they'll never win anything. Pietersen is right: Moores is a nobody, offering nothing.

Players can be bigger than the game -the cliche is rubbish -in fact, the likes of Tendulkar, Warne, Waugh, et al DEFINE the game. Remember the Packer series when the top players were banned from tests -nobody wanted to watch it.

Give it back to Michael Vaughan, it's all English cricket deserves.

cessna
on January 7, 2009, 17:08 GMT

I hope that the reports about kp resigning from the team are not true…they absolutely cannot afford to lose him. They should have canned Moores the second kp voiced his displeasure. A "head" coach is pretty much just a title, a position which really doesn't add much value to a team anymore anyway and not really necessary since they have batting coaches, bowling coaches, etc. During matches the captain calls all the shots and in many regards is the equivalent of a head coach in other sports. It makes me so mad that the ECB is dicking around and potentially loosing their best player by a mile. Forget what kind of precedent it may make. KP is simply to valuable to the team to be any sort of debate on siding with Moores.

ArunShady
on January 7, 2009, 16:59 GMT

KP's done the right thing by steppin down. For one, the captain's more important than the coach so he's gotta get his way with who gets to be the coach. Two, whenever the team loses, it's the captain, who takes flak for it. Everyone said KP came second best to MSD but very few, if any, said David Graveney came second best to Kris Srikanth. KP might not've been given the squad he wanted but was blamed for England's dismal show in India. Why can't they give him the squad he wants? Then perhaps they can be justified for blaming him if the team doesn't perform well. Losing to India in India is one thing,but it's gonna be different in the Caribbean. Nothing less than a series victory without losing a match will do against a strugglin Windies outfit. Under these circumstances it'd'v been better to let KP have his way. If he wants Vaughan, then for the team's sake, let him have Vaughan! Since this has not been done, there's no point stayin on. he'd'v lost respect if he had

maninwhite
on January 7, 2009, 16:54 GMT

It will be interesting to see whether Pietersen is man enough to play (and play well) under his successor, as Ian Botham did in 1981. Any new Captain and Coach will find it difficult to manage KP. If he really is committed to the Cause, he will meet them half way. Is he mature enough to do that? The reasons that Nottinghamshire were not all that sorry to lose him start to become clear.

PottedLambShanks
on January 7, 2009, 16:09 GMT

What exactly is KP guilty of here? Making a stand in the interest of the team and the fans? Yes. Standing by his principles and giving up the job he loves when the support was not forthcoming? Yes. Deciding that instead of getting involved with political in-fighting, stepping aside to let someone else captain the team while he concentrates on batting? Yes.

The people who have let England down are the players (Harmison) who didn't back KP and Moores for going over KP's head to get Vaughan dropped.

mindispower
on January 7, 2009, 15:55 GMT

It's not quite cricket is it? Players are gagged by codes of conduct and administrators sometimes play god. Some players believe they are god and behave accordingly. Heavens above, let's just play cricket. I would think if one loved the game, no adored the game, then one would play it despite all athe sides. Was tha Australia/South Africa series magnificent or what?

Cricket_is_the_Winner
on January 7, 2009, 15:01 GMT

This is absolutely ridiculous, as a Captain you want people in the side that you know you can rely on and that you get on with. Hence why he got Harmison back! Why he tried to get Tres back! He is not selfish he is looking out for English cricket and trying to get the best players firing again. KP is one of the best batsmen England have ever had and his stats prove this!
Peter Moores since coming into the England set-up has not brought them forward at all. Therefore what KP was saying is correct, the training regime is not right. If you don't want KP in your side you don't want to win he can change a game single handed - proven time and time again. South Africans are just still bitter that he would prefer to play for a country whereby you are picked on merits rather than the colour of your skin!
Moores should have gone at his own accord, KP please come back as captain.

Abhithen
on January 7, 2009, 14:42 GMT

This proves that England have never been aggressive and they have almost lost an aggressive captain in KP.

Mallard
on January 7, 2009, 13:36 GMT

All of which goes to prove that KP plays for KP rather than England. If a difference of opinion is more important than being captain or playing for England then good ridance. We all have to work people we have not necessarily chosen - a strong character will come to terms with the fact and get on with it, not throw the toys out of the pram.

200ondebut
on January 7, 2009, 13:32 GMT

The ECB need to realise that KP is their biggest asset and may need to appease him - and the comments received are typical of the arogance found in cricket administrators. It is him and the players that draw the crowds and not the administrators. Still the people running the bars would like it if he was not in the team (cos that is where the spectators would stay). I think he has a perfectly valid point if he feels the actions of the coach are not in the best interest of the team. Peter Moores has taken the number 2 side in the world and turned it into the number 5, whereas Pietersen looks like he is taking the team back in the right direction.

Garson007
on January 7, 2009, 13:12 GMT

I must add that I am disgusted in the way the media handled the situation. First, he resigned, then he did not, then he did. Stop luring in people with hopelessly sensationalistic claims that sells headlines.

Southwood285
on January 7, 2009, 13:10 GMT

Capt and Coach need to work together to enable the team to produce good collective and individual performances.

KP has shown impatience(again), lack of knowledge and experience of the role and a poor understanding basic human interaction.There was some hope that he could provide the spark that England needed to regain high international status- regrettably hope was all there was;no substance.

The shame is the manner in which he has taken down another person.

Garson007
on January 7, 2009, 13:02 GMT

"Players, no matter how big of a superstar they are, must realise they are not bigger than the game."

The irony in this is that cricketing boards have thought that they are bigger than the game for a very long time now. It is good when the cricketers every so often disagree with them.

roshanbohra
on January 7, 2009, 12:57 GMT

wow! looks like the english fans dont like a south african captain>
it is true that kp is demanding things but whats so wrong about that< i mean he is the captain and he should have a say in team selections and if the board or coach are neglecting him then he has a right to voice his opinion< didnt dhoni do something similar on the rpsingh issue< administrators these days want things their way whereas in reality cricket should be played the old fashioned way and the captain should have all the say with respect to the team, else blame the administrators when a series is lost and not the captain
all i can say is the biggest loser in all this will be ENGLISH CRICKET

Mr_E_Machine
on January 7, 2009, 12:53 GMT

I don't particularly like Pieterson's demeanor but I do sympathise with the teams he is provided with to captain. I suspect KP wanted a complete shake up of the team but was never given it. You just had to look at Swann coming on way before Monty and Anderson constantly being ditched after just a handfull of expensive overs to see how little he thought of their talents. And he was right !

I certainly would not want to captain my local league side on a Saturday that someone else has selected for me and said "There you go, win with this lot. You've got my best mate Jim and his cousin Monty. Darren's just got here from Oz so we've chucked him in to see what happens. Never seen 'em play but we expect you to win the game"

Well done KP. Make a big noise and ruffle the feathers of those cretins at the ECB. Show as much disrespect as you wish. This is England not the Bronx !

dar268
on January 7, 2009, 12:51 GMT

It will always end in tears with KP. South Africa, Notts, England, the list will continue. His ego is too big to fit into a team environment. Given that he's South African, he doesn't even have the incentive of seeing his country do well. I couldn't give a damn if KP never played for England again.

gudolerhum
on January 7, 2009, 12:44 GMT

ECB must learn from lesson WICB suffered with B Lara. If KP gets his way now he will be unstoppable. Lara became a thorn in side of WICB and they are still paying for their weakness despite their own incompetence.
Lara was totally selfish not a team person despite batting brilliance. No example to team and they are still in chaos.

Charindra
on January 7, 2009, 12:38 GMT

This is incredible! I was actually rooting for Pietersen but this whole saga makes him look so arrogant and self centered, which he probably is. Good riddance then, because a captain can not afford to put himself first, no matter how great a player he may be. Tragic since KP the captain made the game interesting.

Crazythhbsrth
on January 7, 2009, 12:35 GMT

When Pietersen first started demolishing bowling attacks the world over, I thought how could SA ever have lost a player of his caliber. Now it seems like a blessing in disguise. SA has a pretty good top 6 and a few excellent players of colour (always important to the politicians). He may be a fantastic batsmen, but England can keep him and his over inflated ego!

ccccc
on January 7, 2009, 12:33 GMT

If you look at recent history you will find that when the politicians(thats what board members CEO's etc are at the end of the day)
go up against and enforce their will upon star players there are only
two outcomes. Option 1 - The politcians end up being ousted example Norman Arendse Greame Smith saga or even in cases like Austalia with Tim May, Steve Waugh and Malcolm speed in the early 90's...or more recently
Sri lanka and Pakistan.The politicians have to bow out as star players
can not be ignored .
OPTION 2 - In cases where the boards largely ignore players or even
star players like in New Zealand with
Bond and Co.(even though some of those players are retired internationally they still had a huge role to play domestically especially in a country like NZ with a small amount of professional
cricketers.) New Zealand cricket has never been as weak as it is because of it.Warning to Giles Clark : Cricket will diminish under politicians prevailing ego's.England beware!

danmcb
on January 7, 2009, 12:32 GMT

Everyone is bugging on KP for being to egoistic, who is asking why the hell he didn't get the selection of players he wanted for the Caribbean? Under those circumstances he was right to make a stand, in my opinion. He is a talented and potentially devastating leader, but he needs the backing of the organisation to make it happen.

vdm1
on January 7, 2009, 12:31 GMT

Once a turncoat, always a turncoat... give him the sack from the national team. Let him earn his living in the IPL. He left SA cause he couldn`t make the Natal side as a spinner, talk about delusional.

Kirstenfan
on January 7, 2009, 12:30 GMT

KP is a wally - you don't resolve issues by going to the press when you don't get what you want. madmike360 and HassanG are completely right - KP does not have a value system, he is immature and spoilt and creates history to suit himself. He left SA as a cricket mercenary, somehow became a much better player in England and yet still wants more - he thinks he has everything his own way and this is a great lesson for him and others. Play by the rules, act in a principled fashion and respect authority. Where will this leave him as a player though?

TIMIKHAN
on January 7, 2009, 12:28 GMT

England should finally be really HAPPY of getting rid of KEVIN. How can we as the founders of cricket and with such a huge cricketing history and above all cricketing tradition can appoint an IMMIGRANT CAPTAIN who migrated to England once he didnt get opportunity in his home country of SouthAfrica. Please dont forget he was 19 years old when he migrated to England.
Its like some one from India migrating to Pakistan and few years later captaining PAKISTAN IN iNTERNATIONAL CRICKET.
It was a BAD desicion by England management at the first place to appoint Kevin as a England captain.
For me its time now for England to take a huge step and appoint some one (English) captain of England with some credentials.
For me it should be from the following three.
1. COOK
2. SHAH
3. KEY

Strauss not for me. I think Shah should be the captain and i think it will be a right desicion.

KyleG
on January 7, 2009, 12:25 GMT

Graeme Smith posts a monumental victory over Australia, KP resigns as captain of England. Has he seen our brilliant green grass over here?

The ECB is an old archaic group, set in their ways and full of politics and diplomacy, undoubtedly, KP got tired of their nonsense, and decided to take action. It's about time England got some competitiveness, passion and aggression in their cricket - take a leaf from South Africa (literally, in this case), Australia and India's book! Get rid of the ECB, get rid of the yes men, and get some life and passion into the game.

MaxDamage
on January 7, 2009, 12:24 GMT

I love KP as a cricketer but had the ECB bowed to his demands they would have set a precedent like no other, giving the captain almost unlimited power in the running and possibly selection of the team. I can almost sympathise with the ECB as all the damage was done when KP went public with his dissatisfaction with Moores, who in my view was clearly out of his depth as an international coach. Lets hope the new captain can unite the team and KP can settle down back in the ranks.

cricket_wins
on January 7, 2009, 12:23 GMT

This is a really bad time for English Cricket. Let's hope it's resolved quickly and the country is placed before individuals - coach or player.

rohanbala
on January 7, 2009, 12:18 GMT

The ECB has its hands full now.... to appoint a new Coach and a new Captain. Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower could be given the job of Captain and Coach respectively, for the team to the West Indies. I
fully agree with HassanG on what he has expressed about Kevin. Even
if Kevin finds a place as a player in the England team in future, he will surely be under the scanner.

spongebat_squarestumps
on January 7, 2009, 12:15 GMT

Cricket Administrators: the comedy gift that just keeps on giving. Isn't it amazing that for organisations seeking to run along commercial 'for profit' lines, cricket administrations sadly lack the accountability faced by commercial directors/managers? For the ECB, imagine this fall out occurring within a FTSE 100 company - there would be a tide of blood on the boardroom floor! When the off field 'entertainment' outweighs the on field, surely SOMEONE must spot the elephant in the loungeroom? HELLO?!?

pommycow
on January 7, 2009, 12:14 GMT

I realise that a captain is not meant to speak out and cause problems for the establishment but I believe that KP had no option. He is the only player that can lead England and to lose him now is an absolute disaster. Moores has taken the team backwards, KP could lead them back into world contention. ECB is gutless - no surprise really. I have just watched South Africa take on and win the series against the Aussies and KP has that same fighting spirit. ECB don't want that - they prefer the English gentlemen approach, they live in a time warp. The English fans want winners, cricket is a pro sport- competitive and lucrative. Wake up ECB and join us in the 21st century - or resign and let people who undestand the modern game take over.

DaleHylton
on January 7, 2009, 12:10 GMT

The biggest mistake made was to pick KP as captain. I dont know why this is such a shock to everyone, it is just KP doing what KP does. His ego gets the better of him & he decides what is right & wrong & what the solution is (no room for diff opinions)... then when he doesnt get his own way, he sulks & throws his toys out the pram. He did it when he didnt get chosen for South Africa when HE thought he deserved it, & did it with his county & now he's doing it with England. In the ECB hierarchy, KP is supposed to be the equivalent of a Sales Manager ... a hands on leader, in the trenches. A Sales Manager still needs to rely on HR (selectors) for his staff, needs to report to a Sales Director (Coach/Manager), & follows policy & decision made by the CEO & other board members. I have yet to find the organisation that lets the Sales Manager call all the shots & set ultimatums, but KP's ego makes him believe he has the right. So, where to now KP? 4 years in Jamaica then a Windies cap?

Bockee
on January 7, 2009, 12:06 GMT

Kevin Pietersen tried to turn the England test team into the KP Invitational XI. Thank goodness sense - or at least common decency - have prevailed. Of course KP, not having things his own way, will take his own interests elsewhere. IPL, here he comes!

It's hard to imagine any other test nation producing such a shambles. Pakistan perhaps. I think that says it all.

rajivgower
on January 7, 2009, 12:06 GMT

KP needs to understand he is not bigger than the game. Apparently he gave an ultimatum to the ECB saying 'sack the coach or I go'. The ECB has said 'we value you as captain but we don't take dictation from you'. So they accepted his ultimatum.

Let's also not forget that he left Notts under a bit of a cloud too, so this is not the first time his "people" skills have been found wanting.

He is too brash to lead England. Collingwood should replace him because he is the only other player who has a permanent spot in both the ODI and Test Teams. He had a lean trot last summer but appears to have come out of that.

Duncan Fletcher has certainly had the last laugh. He was publicly slammed after his departure as Coach, but now we realise who important he was.

dunmoo
on January 7, 2009, 12:06 GMT

I hope I speak for many South Africans when I cheer KP's fall from captaincy, is it too much to hope that his batting form goes the same way? The ECB made a mistake in selecting a foreigner as captain, not to mention his other character traits.

Charlie_4.0
on January 7, 2009, 12:06 GMT

I agree, the only good thing that can come out of this is that we finally get rid of Clarke. His term of office is up this Spring - hopefully somebody with the authority for the role can be persuaded to challenge him.

andy537
on January 7, 2009, 12:02 GMT

Happy New Year to all England fans, this couldn't be worse news and both the Windies and the Aussies must be thinking Christmas has come again!
England have now lost KP to the IPL and who in their right mind would want to lead the team with the idiots at the ECB cocking everything up so badly? Vaughan wouldn't want to come back to such a mess and if I were Strauss I would steer clear of any offer to be the captain. With Fred out of contention due to his pedalo antics we have no-one left with any talent and ambition. What a disaster and a great start to 2009!

dkendrick
on January 7, 2009, 11:57 GMT

I've played club cricket for 45 years. The standard of cricket has improved hugely over the years, at all levels. Batting, bowling and especially fielding are quantum leaps better than they. No 'it was better in my day' here....Coaching, age-limit games, levels of fitness, diet, even better wickets---all the ducks seem to be in a row.

Everything is better. Except one thing. Captaincy. There seems to be little teaching of captaincy. How many club or county captains always seem to win close games?

Sure, its tougher to 'teach' captaincy than to organise warm-ups/warm-downs. And who is qualified to teach captaincy?

Discussing tactics and captaincy issues can appear to be disloyal, or disruptive. But how else can this vital and under-rated skill be learned, and improved?

cyborg909
on January 7, 2009, 11:50 GMT

I will say to england fan good riddance. Donot cry for KP, he resigned cuz ECB didn't move quick enuff for him, talk abt ego problem. I never understood when Vaughn left why strauss was not made captain. KP has brilliant strokes but they are for him and only him. The man put himself above everything. U don't need a selfish captain like that. Strauss should be the captain.

sadman61
on January 7, 2009, 11:37 GMT

Let KP resign. Leave him. Players, no matter how big of a superstar they are, must realise they are not bigger than the game. Just because the cards don't fall his way, he wants to throw in his lot. If I were the ECB I would not even take him with to the West Indies. I agree that he is a brilliant player. But the game should not allow for egos to rule. Yes Moores may not have been the best candidate, but who's to say that KP would have been pleased with the next coach. My opinion is that he would only have been happy if it was a mate of his. The ECB has to get away from the Old Boys School image. Reports suggested that KP was instrumental in getting the team back to India. Was his motive for the good of the game, or did he just not want to look like a hypocrite when he takes up a IPL contract?

madmike360
on January 7, 2009, 11:31 GMT

I m not surprised at all. KP is a south African who plays for England. He dosen't understand the pride of playing for the country. I m amazed whole ECB is depended on a South African to bring up the English Cricket!!!!!!!!

PottedLambShanks
on January 7, 2009, 11:28 GMT

KP has done the right thing. If the board won't back him, he was right to walk. Glad this is all being sorted out now rather than festering as we build up to the summer.

bazzer_sa
on January 7, 2009, 11:25 GMT

I don't mean to be inflammatory about KP. He is a brilliant cricketer, but does this really surprise anyone? The reason he went to play for England in the first place, was because he didn't get everything his own way in SA. Now that the house is a bit messy elsewhere he is downing tools again. The fact that his own team mates are not backing him 100% also sounds alarm bells for me. The real shame is now the Ashes looks like it may be less of a contest than it was gearing up to be.

HassanG
on January 7, 2009, 11:03 GMT

Sorry KP but your attitude is unacceptable.You show no respect to anyone yet you expect to lead others. The manner you deal with issues is disrepectful to say the least. You may be a fine cricketer but have a long way to go as a person. The manner in which you handled the issue and the public comments made by yourself is disrespectful to Peter Moores. This is the same disrepectful manner in which you left SA and continued bad mouthing your country of birth.Your behaviour is like a spoilt kid, you demand things and expect it delivered on a platter.

PaddyBriggs
on January 7, 2009, 10:49 GMT

The departure of Moores and KP must surely be the final nail in the coffin of the incompetent and malignant regime of Giles Clarke at the ECB. If they had any decency they would go - NOW!

The charge sheet against Clarke is long and shaming. It isn't only the Stanford debacle that must be laid firmly at his door. He has single-handedly ensured that by his complete failure to manage his staff that he couldn't run the proverbial piss up in a Brewery.

The resignation of Michael Vaughan had all the hallmarks of an organisation riddled from the top with people who haven't a clue about man management. The failure to create a hierarchy within which the Coach and the Captain worked harmoniously together is also a direct consequence of the Clarke/Collier axis's incompetent management behaviour and style.

I'm very sad to see Pietersen go - rather less so to see the departure of Moores. But let's put the monkey fairly on the right shoulder - stand up Giles Clarke and wave goodbye.

myndlyz
on January 7, 2009, 10:47 GMT

wow! this news is truly amazing (not in a good way). I seriously did not expect things to get this bad, Moores looked like a good coach, and Pieterson a good captain/player. Something went very wrong somewhere. England do not need this, what with the ashes in 6 months time. WOW!

Sacha
-auckland, new zealand

vineetpatel
on January 7, 2009, 10:28 GMT

Just when the Aussies were there for the taking, the ECB have blown it and managed to hand back the initiative. Ponting must be laughing from ear to ear!!

captainjamieuk
on January 7, 2009, 10:26 GMT

What a mess. KP's resignation can only be seen as a complete lack of confidence in the coach, managing director, chairman and the board of the ECB, who should all resign in embarrassment. KP is seriously driven, perhaps more so than any player England have had. People who understand that drive and motivation support it and work with it. Those who are scared of it try to block it because they see it as a threat. The suits were scared, have tried to block it and now KP has quit, exposing their fear.

The ECB have fouled up big time here. Moores has rightly gone but the ECB could and should have handled this far better. Once again England cricket is the laughing stock of the world game.

pragmatist
on January 7, 2009, 10:24 GMT

What a shambles. I shed no tears for Moores, but am worried that England may lose KP in advance of the Ashes. Wonder if KP's signed his central contract or if the whole IPL season is now a possibility for him?

No featured comments at the moment.

pragmatist
on January 7, 2009, 10:24 GMT

What a shambles. I shed no tears for Moores, but am worried that England may lose KP in advance of the Ashes. Wonder if KP's signed his central contract or if the whole IPL season is now a possibility for him?

captainjamieuk
on January 7, 2009, 10:26 GMT

What a mess. KP's resignation can only be seen as a complete lack of confidence in the coach, managing director, chairman and the board of the ECB, who should all resign in embarrassment. KP is seriously driven, perhaps more so than any player England have had. People who understand that drive and motivation support it and work with it. Those who are scared of it try to block it because they see it as a threat. The suits were scared, have tried to block it and now KP has quit, exposing their fear.

The ECB have fouled up big time here. Moores has rightly gone but the ECB could and should have handled this far better. Once again England cricket is the laughing stock of the world game.

vineetpatel
on January 7, 2009, 10:28 GMT

Just when the Aussies were there for the taking, the ECB have blown it and managed to hand back the initiative. Ponting must be laughing from ear to ear!!

myndlyz
on January 7, 2009, 10:47 GMT

wow! this news is truly amazing (not in a good way). I seriously did not expect things to get this bad, Moores looked like a good coach, and Pieterson a good captain/player. Something went very wrong somewhere. England do not need this, what with the ashes in 6 months time. WOW!

Sacha
-auckland, new zealand

PaddyBriggs
on January 7, 2009, 10:49 GMT

The departure of Moores and KP must surely be the final nail in the coffin of the incompetent and malignant regime of Giles Clarke at the ECB. If they had any decency they would go - NOW!

The charge sheet against Clarke is long and shaming. It isn't only the Stanford debacle that must be laid firmly at his door. He has single-handedly ensured that by his complete failure to manage his staff that he couldn't run the proverbial piss up in a Brewery.

The resignation of Michael Vaughan had all the hallmarks of an organisation riddled from the top with people who haven't a clue about man management. The failure to create a hierarchy within which the Coach and the Captain worked harmoniously together is also a direct consequence of the Clarke/Collier axis's incompetent management behaviour and style.

I'm very sad to see Pietersen go - rather less so to see the departure of Moores. But let's put the monkey fairly on the right shoulder - stand up Giles Clarke and wave goodbye.

HassanG
on January 7, 2009, 11:03 GMT

Sorry KP but your attitude is unacceptable.You show no respect to anyone yet you expect to lead others. The manner you deal with issues is disrepectful to say the least. You may be a fine cricketer but have a long way to go as a person. The manner in which you handled the issue and the public comments made by yourself is disrespectful to Peter Moores. This is the same disrepectful manner in which you left SA and continued bad mouthing your country of birth.Your behaviour is like a spoilt kid, you demand things and expect it delivered on a platter.

bazzer_sa
on January 7, 2009, 11:25 GMT

I don't mean to be inflammatory about KP. He is a brilliant cricketer, but does this really surprise anyone? The reason he went to play for England in the first place, was because he didn't get everything his own way in SA. Now that the house is a bit messy elsewhere he is downing tools again. The fact that his own team mates are not backing him 100% also sounds alarm bells for me. The real shame is now the Ashes looks like it may be less of a contest than it was gearing up to be.

PottedLambShanks
on January 7, 2009, 11:28 GMT

KP has done the right thing. If the board won't back him, he was right to walk. Glad this is all being sorted out now rather than festering as we build up to the summer.

madmike360
on January 7, 2009, 11:31 GMT

I m not surprised at all. KP is a south African who plays for England. He dosen't understand the pride of playing for the country. I m amazed whole ECB is depended on a South African to bring up the English Cricket!!!!!!!!

sadman61
on January 7, 2009, 11:37 GMT

Let KP resign. Leave him. Players, no matter how big of a superstar they are, must realise they are not bigger than the game. Just because the cards don't fall his way, he wants to throw in his lot. If I were the ECB I would not even take him with to the West Indies. I agree that he is a brilliant player. But the game should not allow for egos to rule. Yes Moores may not have been the best candidate, but who's to say that KP would have been pleased with the next coach. My opinion is that he would only have been happy if it was a mate of his. The ECB has to get away from the Old Boys School image. Reports suggested that KP was instrumental in getting the team back to India. Was his motive for the good of the game, or did he just not want to look like a hypocrite when he takes up a IPL contract?